Entrepreneurs Invest in North West UK's First Metal AM Machine

Successful entrepreneurial trio, brothers Neil and Mark Burns together with Darren Travis, have invested almost half a million pounds in a Realizer SLM-250 additive manufacturing machine and launched specialist company, Croft Additive Manufacturing (CAM). The Realizer SLM-250 is the UK’s first SME-owned metal additive manufacturing machine.

This advanced AM technology enables complex metal components and assemblies to be designed and produced for industry using the selective laser melting (SLM) process. The company will now offer businesses leading-edge design and production opportunities via the state-of-the-art machine.

Additive manufacturing (AM), also known as 3D printing or formally as rapid prototyping, has the flexibility to create unique, previously unattainable products directly from 3D CAD data. The Realizer SLM-250 fabricates components in metal, offering an even wider scope of design possibilities to industries with more advanced product specification requirements.

As well as offering businesses the opportunity to take advantage of its cutting edge technology, CAM’s in-house team of experts provides first class consultancy on the product design possibilities and manufacturing solutions that are unique to metal 3D printing. The technology has already been used within sister company, Croft Filters, where Neil, Mark and Darren are directors, to produce bespoke filters that can’t be manufactured using traditional techniques.

Speaking on the launch of CAM, Neil said: “The successful application of AM techniques in filter manufacturing demonstrates the potential wider industry benefits of AM production across myriad sectors. Our in-house expertise, combined with the Realizer SLM-250 machine, enable us to generate innovative solutions to even the most intricate design issues.

Mark added: “We are ready for our next challenge and are always looking for opportunities to help customers overcome traditional manufacturing constraints and move from complex concept to completed product.”

All excess metal powder from the finished product is recycled, reducing the environmental impact of waste to establish a more efficient production process.